Customer Reviews

Blue County

5 star:		(23)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I bought this CD expecting that "Good Little Girls" probably was the only song I would really like. Much to my surprise I liked the whole CD. The "country rock" of my youth (1970's) has gone on to be live and well in contemporary country music. Today's country music is not the same as "country rock" of old; but you can see their fathers and grandfathers in their fresh young faces.

For better or worse, while the major record companies seem to have abandoned it years ago, something of the "rock spirit" has migrated over to "country" and found that the cowboy boots and ten-gallion hat fit just fine. Well, it isn't like heavy metal rockers learned to pick up those pretty country guitar chords. It is more like kids who grew up listening to the Eagles, Marshall Tucker and the Allman Brothers were also listening to Alabama, Willie Nelson and Randy Travis. Such breeding gives rise to a Montgomery Gentry, Rascal Flats, or Cross Canadian Ragweed--or in this case Blue County.

"That Summer Song", "Sunday Driver" and "That's Cool" are the first songs that come to mind that are outstanding. But if other songs from this record goes on to become very popular I for one will not be surprised. I don't know who these guys are; but I will definitely be looking out for them in the future. This is one excellent debut CD. Your leather clad grandpa would be proud, boys.

I purchased Blue County's debut shortly after its April release, and it has been in steady rotation throughout my cd player ever since. Blue County's debut is excellent and that excellence was acknowledged with well-deserved ACM and CMA nominations. Anchored by Aaron Benward's gritty lead vocals, Scott Reeves's sweet harmonies and fantastic musicianship, the well-written songs (4 of which were co-written by Aaron and/or Scott) speak about a variety of topics that touch people from all walks of life. They range from sentimental reminders about the joys of home and family ("That's Cool", "Sounds Like Home") to raucous rockers ("What's Not To Love About", "Nothing But Cowboy Boots") to hilarious takes on the tribulations of relationships ("Losing at Loving", "Sunday Driver") to heartbreaking ballads ("Ride On" which deals with children attempting to cope with the tragedies of broken homes and the gospel-tinged "Walk on Water" which details the importance of character.) Each track is single-worthy and infectious. Blue County has talent in spades - for me, a new album can't come quickly enough.

[Side note on "Good Little Girls": Unfortunately, some people have misconstrued the meaning of the song. It speaks about an innocent young woman who falls in love and essentially goes wild - within her marriage. It's not advocating promiscuity in any way.]

Blue County's debut is fabulous! My faves include the warmth of "Sounds Like Home," the very moving "Walk On Water," and fun laugh-out-loud tunes "Sunday Driver" and "Nothin' But Cowboy Boots." Give "Good Little Girls" a good listen---if you listen closely, it is not what it appears to be on the surface...I give this CD my highest personal honor: I have deemed it "two-worthy," meaning I will purchase another to keep in my car at all times, and one in my house at all times. This is not an honor achieved easily. Thanks, Scott and Aaron, for putting out a CD with meaningful lyrics, soulful singing, and a CD that I can listen to in the car with my almost 10 year-old and eight year old without turning the sound down! My eight year old just gets tickled every time he hears "Nothin' But Cowboy Boots!" I wish you and your families many blessings, including great success! I'll be watching out for your sophomore effort!

Great debut by new duo Blue County. I thought Scott Reeves (Ryan)of The Young and The Restless was a good actor but he is a great singer. Who would have thought that. I love the first single the Top 20 Hit - Good Little Girls and I predit at least 3 more from the CD.

Blue County-- is a very good modern style country western recording.Warm heartfelt lyrics sung with emotion by Aaron Benward and Scott Reeves.Their video for the song That's Cool really touched my heart.These two guys have a bright future ahead providing they stick together and don't become another flash in the pan {one hit wonder}.The music was produced in part by Dann Huff,who is a well known studio guitarist.His expert influence is a big reason for the great sound and musicianship that can be heard throughout this Cd.
There are 14 different instruments being used.Including the violin,cello,viola,banjo,lap steel guitar,organ and various percussion.All of which are used skillfully and more importantly tastefully.I have listened to this Cd many times and it is with much enthusiasm that I write this review.
Brief descriptions of the songs are as follows:
"Good Little Girls" strong Rock n Roll feel to this.Gritty sounding guitars and some naughty lyrics about so called good little girls. "That Summer Song" a song that describes our youth,about growing up and a carefree happy go lucky lifestyle.Nicely played fiddle on this one. "That's Cool" {my favorite} a story of a boy growing up to be a man.A man that learns the value of good relationships,marriage and children.Now that's cool!! "Hollywood California" a simple cry in your beer song.The self centered woman who gives it all up for the Hollywood scene and the boyfriend who lost her because of it.
"Sunday Drive" an old time country bumpkin song.A slow two step little diddy of a tune. "What's not to love about" the man who gives his all to his woman.Another Rock n Roll feel at play.Good solid Rock style drumming with some creative drum riffs. "Sounds Like Home" a slow pretty song that really does capture the feel of home.The tasteful use of a lap steel guitar and organ gives a nice flavor. "Nothin But Cowboy Boots" fast southern Rock feel.Cranky explosive guitar solo's.Charlie Daniels would be proud. "Ride On" a slow ballad with nice acoustic guitars and keyboards.A tune about going to that special place we all have inside ourselves where we can escape from it all.
"Losing At Love" a traditional up tempo country feel all the way.A real quick two step boom chuck happening. "Yee Ha"
"Walk On Water" this song is filled with religious overtones.Slow beautiful ballad with a meaningful message.You dont have to walk on water.It's how you walk on land that counts !! Final thoughts: Nice use of all the instruments.Especially with the fiddle and organs.They are blended well together.Vocals are up front like they should be.Good harmony's and solid playing from everyone.My reason for the 4 stars is due to the short length of each of the songs and for the fact that they are all designed for air play. I want to hear these guys really let loose and Jam !!!!
Fast fact: Aaron Benward toured and recorded 3 Cds with his Fathers Gospel group. He was raised on Christian principles.
Scott Reeves attributes most of his musical influence to a close friend of his family, Glen Campbell. Scott also tried his hand at acting for a short time.

I actually saw these guys in concert before I ever bought the CD. AFter hearing them I knew the CD was a "MUST HAVE"! You can tell these guys love to make music and really have an interest in their fans having a good time. This CD is awesome! Great tracks that I am not ashamed for my 10 year old son to hear as well. Favorites are "Hollywood California" and "Walk on Water." I hope these two stay together and will be around making music for a long time to come.

Aaron Bentward and Scott Reeves both have down-home, rugged voices. Their choice in songs is impeccable: each of these twelve tracks is superbly written and beautifully performed.

These guys love looking back, that's for sure. Such songs as "That Summer Song," "That's Cool," "Time Well Spent," and even the romantic "Sounds Like Home" have a remeniscent quality to them. But it is elsewhere that the guys find their strong suit: rockers like "Good Little Girls," "What's Not to Love," "Nothin But Cowboy Boots," and "Losing At Loving" (these last two are rather funny) provide a stark contrast with most of radio's playlists. "Hollywood California" is the only romantic ballad on here, and even it is a unique look at a woman who left her man for the silver screen. "Sunday Driver" is a breezy, well-written number about people who just love to take it slow. "Walk On Water" is a philisophical outlook on how to live your life ("You don't have to walk on water/It's how you walk on land"), while "Ride On" deals with child abuse in a new and emotional way.

Blue County's CD is certainly one of the best debuts in a while. They bring the rock back into country; fans of Keith Urban will enjoy them, as will fans of Hank Jr. There's not much pop on here, but there's also not much traditionalism; that's a change for the better, if you ask me. Taking us back to the days of the Eagles, John Denver, John Cougar Mellencamp, and CCR...Blue County has promising talent. They're gonna go far.

If you don't own this cd you should. They are a great new group.

I first heard Blue County when their "Good Little Girls" song was played on the radio; it was okay. Some time after that, I heard "That's Cool" and I loved it, it prompted me to buy the CD.

There's very few CDs on which I like all the songs. Big & Rich's Horse of a Different Color and VNV Nation's Futureperfect are two.

Now, Blue County is another one. From "That Summer Song" to "Sunday Driver" to "Time Well Spent", I never tire of listening to any of these songs.

It's funny that while growing up in Nashville I detested country music or anything that even sounded country but this group has totally changed my way of thinking. Of course this is more pop country but I love the songs especially "That Summer Song" and "Hollywood California" The entire CD is upbeat and just reminds you of good times past. I think these guys will rule the CMA awards!